Applicator Device

ABSTRACT

An applicator device for a liquid, gel-like, pasty or powder product, in particular for a cosmetic product, comprising a container (B) in which a product to be applied is accommodated and which includes at least one outlet opening ( 20 ) for the stored product, an applicator unit ( 30 ) and a closure element (V) to which the applicator unit ( 30 ) is mounted and which is reversibly connected to the container (B) such that when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B) the closure element closes the outlet opening ( 20 ) for the product, wherein the container (B) provides for actively conveying the product disposed therein. The applicator device further involves a storage sleeve ( 24 ) which projects into the interior of the container (B) and which is open outwardly and which is completely closed off in relation to the product, for receiving the applicator unit ( 30 ) when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B), the storage sleeve being arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal center line (M) of the container (B), and that the outlet opening ( 20 ) for the product is arranged decentrally in relation to the center line (M) of the container (B).

The invention concerns an applicator device for a liquid, gel-like,pasty or powder product, in particular a cosmetic product, as set forthin the classifying portion of claim 1. The device according to theinvention can serve for the application of care products or decorativecosmetic products. The cosmetic product can be for example makeup,blusher, lip rouge, lip balm, mascara, hair mascara, eyeshadow,lipliner, eyeliner, care products, sun products or products which are tobe applied in point form such as anti-wrinkle products, anti-acneproducts or pharmaceutical or dermatological specialities.

Applicator devices of the general kind set forth usually comprise amostly elongate container which can accommodate the cosmetic product andwhich is provided with a neck having a screwthread. The container can beclosed by a removable cap being screwed as a closure element on to theneck of the container in sealing relationship therewith.

An applicator unit is mounted to the closure element. It can be designedin such a way for example that a stem or wand is non-releasablyconnected to the removable cap and at its free end carries an applicatorelement. Means for wiping off the applicator element and the stem areusually disposed in the neck of the container in order to remove anexcess of the product to be applied. An applicator device of that natureis known for example from DE 37 30 838 A1.

A disadvantage with applicator devices of the specified kind is that theapplicator element, in accordance with the way it is regularly used,repeatedly comes into contact with the surface of the human body, thatis to say with skin, semi-mucous membranes, mucous membranes as well ashair and then comes into contact with the cosmetic product again. Thesurface of the human body however is never sterile but always has a moreor less pronounced germ flora which, besides micro-organisms which occureverywhere and which are harmless in themselves, can also havepathogenic germs. Repeated contact between the applicator element andthe surface of the human skin on the one hand and the product to beapplied on the other hand therefore represents a serious hygiene problemwhich cannot be managed by the use of preserving agents in products ofthat kind. Preserving agents admittedly serve to provide productprotection but they do not serve to provide preventative hygiene in thesense of disinfecting the applicator element. It should also bementioned that, particularly when cosmetic products are in emulsionform, they represent an excellent nutrient medium for micro-organisms.

For that reason for example EP 0 860 124 B1 or DE 199 49 675 A1 haveproposed technical solutions in which, in a re-closable applicatordevice, the applicator element is stored separately from the cosmeticproduct when it is not in use. Those proposals however only apparentlyresolve the technical problem indicated, as there is always a residualamount of cosmetic product remaining on the applicator element, and thatresidual amount comes into contact with a comparatively large amount ofskin germs. The applicator element moreover is also of a comparativelylarge surface area and thus affords the micro-organisms still betterliving conditions. In the next use, the applicator element on which anextensive germ flora can now have developed then again comes intocontact with the cosmetic product in the container and a certainlydisastrous cycle can develop in that way.

A further disadvantage is the fact that the principle involved in thewiping-off operation means that on the one hand the design options forthe applicator element are restricted while on the other hand theapplicator element is subjected to not inconsiderable wear. Anapplicator element must comprise a relatively soft and flexible materialin order to impart pleasant application properties thereto. The wiperelements in contrast must admittedly equally comprise a flexiblematerial, but must be markedly harder in order to perform the purposefor which they are intended. Besides brushes, spatula-like shapes orbevelled cylindrical elements, referred to as ‘deerfoot applicators’ aretherefore usual for the applicator elements. Conventional fine brushesin conjunction with the illustrated systems were not able to becomeestablished on the market as initially closed bunches of hairs arespread open when passing through a wiper element, whereby it is then nolonger possible to still draw fine contours with a fine brush which hasbeen changed in that fashion. In the case of cosmetic preparations suchas lipliners or eyeliners however it is absolutely necessary to drawfine lines, and likewise when going over the eyebrows.

US application Serial No 2003/0063945 which is a prior publication andwhich forms the most relevant state of the art and which the presentinvention takes as its basic starting point discloses an applicatordevice of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification.In that previously known applicator device the applicator unit isarranged above the actual container accommodating the product to beapplied, in a storage device which is reversibly displaceabletelescopically into the actual container. Provided between theapplicator unit or the storage device which is associated therewith andthe product to be applied is a plunger which is also movable reversiblyinto the container and which is movable together with the storage devicefor the applicator unit. In order to bring the product to be applied tothe applicator unit, the plunger is provided with a centrally arrangedthrough-passage opening which is reversibly closable by an elasticclosure element. When the storage device and the plunger are movedtogether into the container, the product to be applied goes by way ofthe through-passage opening to the applicator unit, saturates it andthus permits application of the product to be applied. It has proven tobe disadvantageous in that respect that, in spite of the closureelement, the applicator unit and the product in the container are notseparated from each other but a continuous exchange of product ispossible by way of the closure element between the supply, in thecontainer, of the product to be applied, and the applicator. Theabove-outlined disadvantages can occur by virtue of that arrangement.

Taking that as the basic starting point, the object of the invention isto design an applicator device of the kind set forth hereinbefore insuch a way that on the one hand no interaction can occur between theapplicator unit and the cosmetic product in the closed condition andthat on the other hand no interaction between the applicator unit andthe product can also occur upon removal of a product to be applied fromthe container prior to use of the product.

The foregoing object is attained by the features of claim 1. Subsequentclaims 2 to 10 set forth advantageous configurations in relationthereto.

The provision of the means for actively conveying the product in thecontainer on the container affords the possibility that, in contrast tothe above-discussed state of the art, the applicator unit or itsapplicator element does not come into contact with the product withinthe container even when picking up the product in the container, butonly picks up the product which is to be applied directly, outside thecontainer. Even if the applicator unit already carries germs, they arenot transferred on to the product which is still in the container. Thattherefore ensures that contamination of the product which is still inthe container is reliably prevented.

The means for actively conveying the product can be designed in a quitedifferent way. Thus on the one hand there is the possibility of theactive conveying means being formed by an at least partially elasticconfiguration for the container. In that case for example the containercan have a rigid external frame, in the interior of which is inserted aplastic material bag or a plastic material hose which can be subjectedto pressure through openings in the rigid external frame by hand or insome other suitable fashion so that the product which is in thecontainer and in particular the desired amount thereof issues outwardlyat the outlet opening and can be transferred on to the applicator unit.It is particularly preferred in that respect for the container to beformed throughout by a tube of flexible plastic material.

A further possible design configuration for the means for activelyconveying the product in the container provides that it is formed by apump device which is operatively connected to the interior of thecontainer. In that case the pump device can be formed for example by apiston/cylinder unit or by a diaphragm movable with suitable means.Basically there is the possibility that the pump device can be disposedat any desired location in such a way that it is operatively connectedto the interior of the container in order to be able to subject theproduct disposed therein to a corresponding conveyor pressure. Anarrangement which is particularly desirable both from points of view ofspace and also from aesthetic points of view is afforded if the pumpdevice is arranged on the container in a position which is at leastapproximately opposite to the outlet opening for the product.

It is also to be noted that the active conveying means can also beformed by a gas which is under pressure and which can act on the productin the container and which can be liberated by suitable control means.

The storage sleeve can be arranged in various ways in the interior ofthe container. Thus on the one hand there is the possibility of thestorage sleeve being connected to at least one container wall whichextends in the longitudinal direction of the container. Equally howeverthere is also the possibility of the storage sleeve being spacedcompletely in relation to the container walls which extend in thelongitudinal direction of the container, in which case it isparticularly preferred for the storage sleeve to be arrangedsubstantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal center line ofthe container. In that respect it is advantageous if the outlet openingfor the product, which outlet opening is preferably on the same side, isarranged decentrally with respect to the longitudinal center line of thecontainer. As an alternative thereto the outlet opening can be arrangedon the oppositely disposed side of the container.

In order also to ensure unintentionally bringing the applicator unitinto contact with the product disposed in the container, it hascertainly further proven to be advantageous if the width of the outletopening is less than the outside diameter of the applicator unit. Inthat case the width of the opening should be such that it is less thanthe portion of the applicator unit, which is of the smallest outsidediameter. In that respect it is particularly significant that theapplicator unit can carry for example at its free end an applicatorelement which can be of a conical configuration so that the outletopening should be of a width such that the tip of the applicator elementcan admittedly pass therethrough into the interior of the outlet openingby just a few units of length, but cannot advance into the interior ofthe container and thus penetrate as far as the product issuing there.

In order to prevent unintentional release of the closure element fromthe container the closure element can be connected to the container byway of a screw connection, a snap connection and so forth. Depending onthe pitch of the screwthread used however unintentional release of theclosure element from the container can also occur when using a screwconnection. It has therefore been found to be advantageous if fixingmeans for reversibly fixing the applicator element are provided in theinterior of the storage sleeve. In that case the fixing means can beformed by at least one latching means, preferably at least one raisedportion, which latching means is provided on the applicator unit or theinside wall of the storage sleeve and co-operates with at least onecounterpart latching means, preferably a recess, which is provided atthe inside wall of the storage sleeve or the applicator unit.

As has already been explained hereinbefore in connection with thediscussion of the state of the art, the actual applicator element of theapplicator unit can be of quite different forms. Depending on therespective material selected, the applicator element in that case can bestable in respect of shape or not stable in respect of shape. If forexample a brush which is of a frustoconical shape is used for theapplicator element, that shape can be altered in the course of use bythe pressure which occurs when a product is being applied. The sameapplies to an applicator element which comprises a soft foam material.If therefore the applicator unit is provided at its free end with anapplicator element, it has certainly proven to be advantageous ifprovided in the interior of the storage sleeve is a shaping portion or ashape-imparting portion which, when the applicator unit is arranged inthe storage sleeve, surrounds the applicator element to maintain theshape thereof and/or to restore the shape thereof.

In regard to the design configuration of the applicator unit, the manskilled in the art is free to select the shape which is appropriate forhis purposes. Thus the applicator unit can have at least at its free endan applicator element which is preferably fixedly connected to theclosure element by way of a connecting element of the applicator unit,preferably a rod. If the container and the amount of product are soselected that the latter can be used over a prolonged period of use, theconnecting element of the applicator unit can also be releasablyconnected to the closure element. Finally, there is the possibility thatthe applicator unit can be fitted in releasably latching relationship tothe closure element.

In order to avoid the ingress of air by way of the outlet opening forthe product when the container is closed with the closure element, it isfurther advantageous if the closure element has at least one sealingsurface which, when the closure element is connected to the container,sealingly closes off the outlet opening for the product.

Finally, it has proven to be advantageous if, at least at its free end,the applicator unit is provided with an applicator element, the materialof which contains a substance having an anti-microbial action. That canbe for example a silver ion donor.

Further advantageous configurations and an embodiment by way of exampleare described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.In that respect it is to be pointed out that the terms ‘left’, ‘right’,‘bottom’ and ‘top’ used during the description relate to the drawingswhen placed with the references and Figure legends normally readable. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 a shows a perspective side view of an applicator device accordingto the invention in the closed condition,

FIG. 1 b shows a perspective side view similar to FIG. 1 a of anapplicator device according to the invention but in the openedcondition,

FIGS. 2 a-2 f show various applicator units of the applicator deviceaccording to the invention with different applicator elements, and

FIG. 3 shows a view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale throughthe applicator device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1 a inthe closed condition.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 a and 1 b the applicator device according tothe invention comprises the two main groups ‘container B’ and ‘closureelement V’. A product to be applied by the applicator device, forexample a cosmetic product such as makeup, blusher, lip rouge, lip balm,mascara, hair mascara, eyeshadow, lipliner, eyeliner, care products andsun products or a product to be applied in point form such as ananti-wrinkle product, an anti-acne product or pharmaceutical ordermatological specialities can be stored in the container B. As will beseen from a comparison of FIG. 1 a with FIG. 1 b the closure element Vco-operates reversibly with the container B in such a way that it isconnected to the container B in the closed position shown in FIG. 1 aand can be removed completely from the container B in the open ordelivery position shown in FIG. 1 b.

It will be seen from joint consideration of FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 3 thatthe container B is in the form of a tube with a longitudinal center lineM which, when the closure element V is connected to the container B, isalso the longitudinal center line M of the closure element V. The tubeis formed by a tube portion 10 of flexible material which is of thedesired outside diameter for the finished tube and of which one end 12is closed in medium-tight relationship by means of a transverse weld 12a. At the end 14 in opposite relationship to the closed end 12, the tubeportion 10 constituting the product tube is provided with a neck 16which is of an at least approximately circular cross-section and whichis provided with a male screwthread 18 on its outside peripheralsurface. The screwthread 18 serves for screwing engagement with theclosure element V when the latter is connected to the container B in theclosed position.

It is to be noted that, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the outside diameterof the neck 16 is reduced with respect to the outside diameter of thecontainer B in such a way that, when the closure element V is screwed onto the container B, the outside peripheral wall of the closure elementV, which wall adjoins the container B, is aligned with the outsideperipheral wall of the container B in the region of the transition fromthe neck 16 to the rest of the body of the container B.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 b and 3 the container B, at its end 14 inopposite relationship to the end 12 closed by the welded seam 12 a, hasan outlet opening 20 for application of the product disposed in thecontainer B. The outlet opening 20 is arranged in decentral relationshipbut aligned in parallel with the longitudinal center line M of thecontainer B. As can be seen from FIG. 1 b the outlet opening 20 isarranged at a passage 22 which is of an approximately wedge-shaped orfin-like configuration and which is integrally connected to thecontainer B. It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that the passage 22 narrowsin the direction of the outlet opening 20 in its cross-section in theinterior thereof. That produces a nozzle effect which allows preciseadjustment of the amount of product to be delivered from the containerB.

Discharge of the product is effected by a pressure being exerted forexample by hand on the outside peripheral surface of the container B.That causes the container wall which comprises a flexible plasticmaterial to be displaced inwardly so that the product in the container Bis urged out of the container B. As soon as the pressure applied to thecontainer B is relieved, the container wall moves back into its startingposition so that no further product is conveyed outwardly.

It will also be apparent from FIG. 3 that there is provided a storagesleeve 24 for the applicator unit 30 which is described in greaterdetail hereinafter, in coaxial relationship with the longitudinal centerline M of the container B and the closure element V, in the interior ofthe container B. The storage sleeve 24 is substantially of arotationally symmetrical cross-section and is closed at its end 24 whichis in the interior of the container, with an end portion which extendssubstantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center line M of thecontainer B and the closure element V. At the end 24 b in oppositerelationship to that end portion 24 a, the storage sleeve 24 isconnected on the one hand integrally to a wall of the passage 22 andmoreover to the cover wall 26 of the container B, the cover wall 26 alsoextending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center lineM as far as the opening for the passage 22. By virtue of thatconfiguration, the applicator unit 30 which can be pushed into thestorage sleeve 24 does not come into contact at any location with theproduct disposed in the interior of the container B.

As has already been mentioned hereinbefore the closure element V has theapplicator unit 30 and a handle element 40 which is described in greaterdetail hereinafter. The applicator unit 30 substantially comprises theactual applicator element 32 which is disposed at the free end of theapplicator unit 30, that is to say it is in the proximity of the endportion 24 a of the storage sleeve 24 when the applicator unit 30 ispushed into the storage sleeve 24, as can be seen from FIG. 3.Furthermore the applicator unit 30 has a connecting element 34 in theform of a rod which enlarges slightly conically from the applicatorelement 32 to the handle element 40 and which is made from plasticmaterial. That rod 34 serves to connect the applicator element 32 to thehandle element 40. For that purpose, at its end opposite to theapplicator element 32, the rod 34 is provided with a connecting surface34 a which is in the form of a circular ring and which extends outwardlyfrom the rod 34 coaxially with respect to the longitudinal center line Mby way of a step 34 b extending substantially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal center line M, the outside diameter of the connectingsurface 34 a corresponding to the inside diameter of the handle element40. The rod 34 can then be connected to the handle element 40 by meansof adhesive, ultrasonic welding and so forth. The rod 34 or theapplicator unit 30 can however also be latched fixedly but releasably,for example for the purposes of later replacement, to the handle element40 of the closure element V.

On its side which faces towards the container B when the closure elementV is fitted on the container B, the step 34 b of the connecting rod 34has a sealing surface 34 c which extends substantially perpendicularlyto the longitudinal center line M and by means of which the outletopening 20 can be closed in sealing relationship with respect to themedium, when the closure element V is fitted on the container B.

In order to securely connect the applicator element 30 or the closureelement V to the container B the applicator unit 30, at the transitionfrom the connecting element 34 to the applicator element 32, has athickened portion 34 d in the form of an annular bead which comes intoreleasable latching engagement with a corresponding annular recess 24 cin the storage sleeve 24.

As already mentioned hereinbefore the closure element V has the handleelement 40 which is of a substantially hollow-cylindrical configurationand which is made from plastic material. At its end 40 a which facesaway from the container B when the closure element V is fitted on to thecontainer B, the closure element 40 is closed with a cover wall whichcan also serve as a surface for the applicator device to stand on. Atthe opposite end 40 b the closure element is provided with a femalescrewthread 42 which comes into engagement with the male screwthread 18of the neck 16 of the container B.

The applicator element 32 of the applicator unit 30 can be shapeddepending on the respective purpose of use and/or product to be applied.In FIG. 3 the applicator element 32 is in the form of a cylinder whichis cut off at an inclined angle. FIGS. 2 a through 2 f show variousfurther configurations of the applicator element 32 which are alldenoted by the same references. FIG. 2 a shows an applicator element 32which is shaped similarly to that shown in FIG. 3 and which is flockedat its outside. In comparison FIG. 2 b shows an applicator element inthe form of a brush which is bevelled in a wedge shape at its tip. InFIG. 2 c the applicator element 32 is an element of a spatula-likeshape. In comparison FIG. 2 d shows an applicator element 32 in the formof a sponge. FIG. 2 e shows an applicator element also formed by asponge which is flocked at its outside. Finally FIG. 2 f shows anapplicator element 32 comprising a sponge which however is rotatablewith respect to the connecting rod 34. Except for the embodiment of FIG.2 c all illustrated applicator elements 30 are provided with the annularridge 34 d.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. An applicator device for a liquid, gel-like, pastyor powder product, comprising a container (B) in which a product to beapplied is accommodated and which includes at least one outlet opening(20) for the stored product, an applicator unit (30) and a closureelement (V) to which the applicator unit (30) is mounted and which isreversibly connected to the container (B) such that when the closureelement (V) is connected to the container (B) the closure element closesthe outlet opening (20) for the product, wherein the container (B) hasmeans for actively conveying the product disposed therein, a storagesleeve (24) which projects into the interior of the container (B) andwhich is open outwardly and which is completely closed off in relationto the product, for receiving the applicator unit (30) when the closureelement (V) is connected to the container (B), the storage sleeve beingarranged substantially coaxially with respect to a longitudinal centerline (M) of the container (B), and wherein the outlet opening (20) forthe product is arranged decentrally in relation to the center line (M)of the container (B).
 12. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11,wherein the active conveying means is formed by an at least partiallyelastic configuration of the container (B).
 13. An applicator device asset forth in claim 11, wherein the active conveying means is formed by apump device which is operatively connected to the interior of thecontainer.
 14. An applicator device as set forth in one of claims 11through 13, wherein the width of the outlet opening (20) is less thanthe outside diameter of the applicator unit (30).
 15. An applicatordevice as set forth in claim 11, wherein the storage sleeve (24) isspaced in relation to the container walls which extend in thelongitudinal direction of the container (B)
 16. An applicator device asset forth in claim 11, including fixing means (24 c) for reversiblyfixing the applicator unit (30) is provided in the interior of thestorage sleeve (24).
 17. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11,wherein the applicator unit (30) has an applicator element (32) at leastat a free end and that provided in the interior of the storage sleeve(24) is a shaping portion which when the applicator unit (30) isarranged in the storage sleeve (24) encloses the applicator element (32)for maintaining the shape of the applicator element (32) and/or forrestoring the shape of the applicator element (32).
 18. An applicatordevice as set forth in claim 11, wherein the applicator unit (30) has atleast at its free end an applicator element (32) which is connected tothe closure element (V) by way of a connecting element (34) of theapplicator unit (30), preferably a rod.
 19. An applicator device as setforth in claim 11, wherein the closure element (V) has at least onesealing surface (34 c) which sealingly closes off the outlet opening(20) for the product when the closure element (V) is connected to thecontainer (B).
 20. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11,wherein at least at a free end the applicator unit (30) is provided withan applicator element (32) whose material containers a substance havingan anti-bacterial action.